Village go that extra Mile

UNBEATEN in their previous 10 games, Fivemiletown United must have been feeling pretty confident as they came to Havelock Park.

Seapatrick, however, played some of their best football of the season in the first half and definitely took the game to their opponents from the first whistle.

They showed their intent as early as the third minute when Darren McGrath fired across the Fivemiletown ‘keeper only for him to pull off a great save.

The Village had a penalty appeal turned down before Fivemiletown had one of their own waved away as they claimed for handball.

With nine minutes on the clock Seapatrick got their first goal, Adam Kerr’s long throw was flicked on by a defender and Darren McGrath headed home at the back post. McGrath, who caused all sorts of problems out wide, then played a great ball into the box with Paul Frazer unlucky not to connect at the back post.

Kris Fletcher then pulled off a great save as Paddy McKernan cut in from the left and sent in a low drive. From Fletcher’s kick Darren McGrath raced down the outside and as his cross was met by Paul Frazer - the keeper pulled off a good save.

At the other end Fivemiletown were unlucky not to equalise as they hit the crossbar after a well delivered corner. Once again Seapatrick broke up-field and as Darren McGrath sent in a pinpoint cross, Adam Pedlow met it at the back post to make the score 2-0.

In the last couple of minutes of the half Fivemiletown were unlucky not to get themselves back into the game. First Kris Fletcher made a great save as the ball headed for the top corner and then Jason Gillespie had a 25 yard effort well saved.

The second half was a battle in the middle of the pitch with both teams cancelling each other out. The Village were unlucky not to add to their tally when Paul Frazer sent in a great cross and Jonny Kerr had his header well saved.

Seapatrick did get their third a short time later. Connor Sloan played a great ball to Paul Frazer who in turn played in Darren McGrath and his swivel and first time shot saw the keeper save but the slippy ball nestled in the back of the net.

With Fivemiletown pushing men forward Adam Pedlow caught them on the counter attack and as he played in Darren McGrath full back Dessie Gilmour made a last ditch tackle to stop the wide man. From the corner Stephen Campbell met the ball at the front post only to narrowly head over.

With 15 minutes left to play Seapatrick took their foot off the gas to their own detrement. Fivemiletown played a ball over the top and their substitute knocked the ball past Fletcher in the Village goal.

Seapatrick were then told to keep the ball and from an eight pass move Adam Pedlow fired the ball just wide.

In the last few seconds of the game Adam Kerr was dispossessed at full back and as the ball came into the box the ball was tapped home with Seapatrick players appealing for a push.